STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It has provided spiritual comfort for more than a century, but the future of the Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Fort Wadsworth may now be left to fate — its 10 acres of chapels, gardens and grottos have gone on the market for $15.9 million.

The news has sparked concern that the property, which has the most wide-open zoning, could become the latest in townhouse developments.

“It’s a place where people can go to reach out to God and reflect on their life so it would be nice to keep it that way,” said Conrad Schweizer, a former board member and the owner of Schweizer Nurseries, who spent much of his youth on the grounds where his mother worked as a cook.

“But I assume it’s going to go to the best use or the most profitable use of the land, there’s no question about that. So whatever amount of units per square foot they can put in, that’s what they’re going to do.”

St. Ignatius is also on the market, listed at $49 million, according to the Rev. Vincent Cooke, a Society spokesman.

Cooke said the sales agreement for Manresa — which is being marketed by Michael Schneider, first vice president of sales for Massey Knakal Reality in Manhattan — will be predicated on the new owner taking possession of the land after June 1, 2013, when the Jesuits take their leave.

He said suggestions for the site have ranged from college dorms to healthcare facilities to residential development.

The existing buildings will be left by the Jesuits, but there will be nothing in the sales agreement preventing new ownership from demolishing them.

“Right now, we’re testing the market,” he said. “What were trying to do is to see who is actually interested in the property and to find out what is realistic here. Our preference is to get a new owner who wants to preserve the property, but you never know what people will do.”

The land, located at 239 Fingerboard Rd., actually dates back to 1860 when a Mr. Browne sold it to Louis H. Meyer, one of the first presidents of Staten Island Savings Bank. Meyer joined an exclusive group who established estates around the borough, earning themselves the moniker, “Staten Island Barons.”

In 1909, the secretary of the Xavier High School Alumni Society petitioned the Jesuit Society to establish a retreat house in the United States. Meyer’s site was chosen and the first retreat at Manresa was held on Sept. 8, 1911.

“It’s part of my heritage,” said Schweizer, sharing childhood rumors that the water tower on the property — which dates back to 1860 — was used for harbor surveillance, and quite possibly by the Jesuits to make sure those on retreat weren’t “acting foolishly.”

“I guess the Jesuits are dwindling and I guess they need to funnel money toward their remaining missions, but I really wonder what they need all that money for. If they sell [Manhasset] for $49 million, why not keep this one? Do they really need that extra $15 million?”

Borough President James P. Molinaro suggested the site be used for senior housing.

“It’s a beautiful, beautiful place, and will keep our seniors from moving to New Jersey,” he said.

Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) lamented the loss of Manresa.

"The loss of Mt. Manresa would leave a huge void in our community," she said. "I can’t imagine attributing a cost to this property because Mount Manresa is priceless. The grounds of Mount Manresa are truly one of Staten Island’s gems and it is my hope, whatever the fate of the property may be, that the character and charm remain intact."

In 2010, Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island/Brooklyn) wrote to the City Planning Commission asking if there was a way to pre-emptively rezone the site, looking for ways to protect it in the event of a future sale.

“The answer then, and the answer now, appears to be that you couldn’t selectively rezone and cut out this one area,” said Oddo, noting that much of the area surrounding Manresa is zoned the same way.

“If you can’t rezone it, the key becomes talking to two different universes of people. One is the religious order that owns it. On the way out the door, they have the obligation to do right by the borough. If it comes down to two bona fide offers and one is something the community embraces and the other is housing, maybe it shouldn’t come down to top dollar seals the deal.”

The other conversation, Oddo said, needs to take place with potential buyers.

“Maybe government can help entice an educational institution or something that frankly goes above and beyond housing,” he said, “but if it’s going to be housing, senior housing is the only thing that is acceptable.”